Community Advocate Program
Connecting the community with flexible, paid opportunities to shape cancer-related outreach, education, and research.
Overview
The Community Advocate Program (CAP) connects community members with meaningful opportunities to shape cancer-related outreach and research. By sharing lived experiences and perspectives, advocates help ensure Cancer Center research and programs reflect real community needs.
Through CAP, participants can engage at different levels — from flexible opportunities as a Community Advocate to a more structured Research Advocate pathway. All participants receive training and compensation.
Ways to Get Involved
Community Advocates
Flexible opportunities to share your voice and shape cancer-related outreach and research in ways that fit your schedule.
Ways to participate:
- Review grant proposals, educational tools, or outreach materials
- Participate in focus groups or listening sessions
- Share your community perspective while serving on a research advisory team
- Identify ways to share cancer research with the community
Time Commitment: Flexible. Complete a short virtual training, then choose from opportunities to participate at your convenience. No time commitment and most opportunities are virtual.
Recruitment Status: Open.
Complete our Community Advocate Program Interest form to get started.
Research Advocates
A structured 10-month program that equips community members to enhance community engagement in research.
How advocates enhance research:
- Provide a community perspective to all areas of research
- Assist with survey questions, focus groups, data collection protocols, and recruitment strategies
- Disseminate research findings
- Collaborate with community partners to identify research priorities
Time Commitment: Up to 5 hours per week for 10 months. After an initial training, advocates are embedded in research teams on a specific cancer project.
Recruitment Status: Closed.
If you’d like to be added to the interest list for the next cohort, please complete our Connect with Us form.
Benefits of Joining
Shape Impact
Ensure outreach and research better serve communities.
Learn and Grow
Build skills in advocacy, engagement, or research partnership.
Build Connections
Work with other advocates, community groups, and researchers.
Earn Compensation
Choose a flexible role or commit as a Research Advocate.
Who Can Join?
Anyone age 18+ with an interest in cancer prevention, outreach, or research. No prior experience is needed—just a desire to help your community.
For More Information
Community Members: To learn more about the Community Advocate Program (CAP) or the Research Advocate track, please contact cancerinfo@uvahealth.org.
Researchers: If you are interested in hosting a Community Advocate, please email cancerinfo@uvahealth.org.